Central Catholic doesn't skip a beat with new coach

DOUGLAS KILPATRICK, SPECIAL TO THE MORNING CALL

Northwestern Lehigh's Sarah Segan (9) works the ball around Northern Lehigh's goalie Taylor Gallimore and scores Northwestern's second goal of the game in the first half of their game on Wednesday at Northwestern Lehigh Stadium.

Northwestern Lehigh's Sarah Segan (9) works the ball around Northern Lehigh's goalie Taylor Gallimore and scores Northwestern's second goal of the game in the first half of their game on Wednesday at Northwestern Lehigh Stadium. (DOUGLAS KILPATRICK, SPECIAL TO THE MORNING CALL)

Tim Shoemaker,Special to The Morning Call

How has the Central Catholic girls soccer team adjusted to new coach?

When Steve Gorski took over the Central Catholic girls soccer program this season, it wasn't a stretch to think that the Vikettes would continue their success.

Gorski, a former player at Easton and Kutztown with experience as an assistant in Easton's boys and girls programs, took over a program that was in very good shape from former coach Tony Pangaio.

Gorski implemented his own style and it has worked well so far as Central Catholic (8-3) has been competitive in the ultra-competitive Skyline Division of the new Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.

He also brought along with him a fitness expert, his wife and former Kutztown soccer player Kim Kelty-Gorski, who is a fitness instructor at Trinity Fitness in Easton.

Kelty-Gorski handled the yoga and the Pilates, while Gorski handles everything else.

"The girls bought into my discipline and they're definitely blue-collar soccer players," Gorski said. "The yoga and the Pilates have really paid off."

Senior Sam DiNardo moved from forward to center back in one of several position changes. She and sophomore Christina Marinos have worked well in front of junior keeper Hope Heffner. Sasha Sunday, Maddie Faust and Anna Younger have sparked the offense in the midfield.

Central lost by shutout in three straight games to Whitehall, Parkland and Nazareth in mid-September, but has recovered nicely since, including a 2-1 win over previously unbeaten Stroudsburg. The Vikettes sit in third place in the Skyline Division and would be the second playoff team if the playoffs started today.

"The first time we went through the division we got shut out three times," Gorski said. "We knew we were just finding ourselves. We didn't panic. Anybody in our division can beat anyone on any given day."

Schuylkill League a good fit for Lehighton

Rich Emmert has known the Schuylkill League for a long time, having been a head coach at Jim Thorpe for four years.

He also knows the Lehighton area and its soccer talent well, having worked in local youth programs for several years.

In many ways, Emmert was the perfect choice to lead the Indians into the Schuylkill League this year. Lehighton left the now-defunct Mountain Valley Conference after last school year.

"It's a good move for us, especially in soccer. We're much more competitive," Emmert said. "It's a good fit."

Lehighton, a Class 2A school, competed against 3A schools in the MVC. The travel is about the same, and the results have been encouraging.

The Indians are 6-4 and are eyeing a spot in the District 11 Class 2A playoffs and possibly the Schuylkill League playoffs. Pottsville is the only class 3A school in Division 1; everyone else is 2A or smaller.

Lehighton has some games coming up against Colonial League teams Catasauqua and Northern Lehigh, and had a big moment this year when senior Allison Andrew set the school's all-time goals scored record. She has 16 for the season and 51 for her career.

"She's a team captain, and she's been playing forever, since she was about five (years old)," Emmert said.

Lehighton has standouts on defense in Sydney Gandey and Lauren House. The Indians have already beaten Jim Thorpe and hope to do so again next week in a border war game.